hello all.....

[nikko]

Hi all.....i am a newbie to smoking....but excited to learn all i can. i was just given a brinkman vertical electric smoker.......going to season it tomorrow.

in the kitchen i am a wiz......but i am not even sure where to begin with smoking. any and all advice is welcome. i dont even know what i DON"T know...lol where should i begin? i am reading all i can here....and drooling over the photos of the wonderful things you all have cooked....i am dying to get started.....

 

[alblancher]

Welcome Nikko.  Well what do you want to start with?  Something real easy like meatloaf?  Maybe a bit more difficult and time consuming like a Butt?

 

[davidhef88]

Welcome nikko!! I would suggest seasoning it today and smoking something tomorrow. Lol. You cant ever jump in fast enough. I did a butt my first smoke, I would recommend that or a couple whole chickens or some thighs or some ribs or all of it. Grab some of your favorite beverages and some friends and do some taste testing. Glad to have you with us. Feel free to ask questions. And don't forget to post pics.

 

[nikko]

in the fridge i have just about everything...chicken, pork shoulder, sausages, turkey......lol....im thinking i will rub the shoulder tonight overnight and start with that and the chicken maybe.....lol

i am trying to read and learn all i can...i have no idea what im doing.....is there a post that walks us newbies thru a first time....i need smoking for dummies...lol

 

[alblancher]

Did you sign up for Jeff's ecourse?    That's a good start  Tell us what you want to cook and we can help.    Do you have a good rub?   Rub the chicken and shoulder 24 hours before you are ready to smoke them.    I wouldn't do chicken with anything else because we normally run chicken about 300   the other cuts between 225 and 240.

 

[nikko]

i guess its the pork shoulder then...i have it out now...gonna inject some apple cider and then rub it and wrap it up for the night. its a 7lb shoulder....so i will need every instruction from this point on...lol...gonna go do that and then i will be back to figure out what im doing to it tomorrow!

 

[nikko]

it is injected...mustard massage...and dry-rubbed....wrapped back up and in the fridge. 

so who wants to walk me thru some of the things i need to know for tomorrow?

 

[rtbbq2]

Welcome to SMF.....I would suggest you start early. If you have a bbq thermometer use it. The temp should be approximately 230° to 240°. I start mine at 4 am because it will take all day to getter to the magic temperature of 200° - 205°...Good luck and have fun.......

 

[davidhef88]

Check your therms with boiling water to make sure they are accurate. I usually plan on 2 hrs per pound but that is just a basic guess. You have to get it to 200-205 for pulling. Some take longer, some shorter. I take mine to 165 then wrap in foil till it hits the magical 205. I most of the time smoke it at 225 to 230. If you do put some chicken in with it at that low temp the skin will be rubbery. I solve that by putting it under the broiler for a couple minutes. When the pork is done, wrap it in a couple towels and put it in a cooler for at least an hour to let the juices redistribute. If your butt is done early it will stay HOT in the cooler for at least a few hours. Your butt will stall (stop gaining temp) for a while. Dont worry it will start again just be patient. If your looking your not cooking so leave the door closed as much as possible.

 

[nikko]

thank you.....i want to tell you all how much i am enjoying reading this site. i will let you all know how it comes out!

 

[venture]

Welcome aboard, Nikko!

Enjoy the ride!

Good luck and good smoking.

 

[sprky]

 to SMF . You have come to the right place for smoking info. This site is loaded with great info just use the search bar at top of page to find what you are looking for. If you can't locate the answer just ask folks here are willing to share there knowledge. Check out  the 5 day e-course on smoking its chuck full of great info, and may help ya out. Smoking  5-Day e-Course  

 

[scarbelly]

Hello Nikko and 

to SMF 

 

[jrod62]

:welcome1: